Funday Times

This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’, the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history.
Warrior Theraputtabhaya returns to priesthood
1. Phussadeva, repenting for his mistake, imposed punishment upon himself, by cutting off his ear-lobe. While still bleeding, he went to the king and said, “O King, please pardon me”. The king was quite taken aback and asked, “Why Phussadeva, what wrong did you do unto me? Why are you bleeding from the ear?” Phussadeva then replied, “I never meant to hurt you, O King. It was a mistake”.

2. The king did not understand these words. He appealed to Phussadeva, to be clear in what he says. Then Phussadeva reminded the king that it was he who had injured the king’s ear. “It was a genuine mistake on my part. I have punished myself by cutting off my ear-lobe”, said Phussadeva. The king was then reminded of the incident. He held Phussadeva by his shoulders, lifted him up and made him sit.

3. King Dutugemunu immediately dispatched a messenger to bring the king’s physician and got Phussadeva’s ear treated. Then addressing Phussadeva, he said, “I know that you will never cause me trouble, injure me or betray me. I also know that incidents do occur in the battlefield and I am sure they are never intended. My ear was wounded, only when you tried to protect me from the enemy. If you did not do so, Bhalluka would have shot me with his dart. I was saved thanks to you”

4. Phussadeva sat silently. The king went up to him. He got up. The king looked at his face, held him by his shoulders and smiled. The warrior too smiled. The king then added. “Phussadeva, the wound in my ear has healed. I never misunderstood you. You have been harbouring this guilt and worrying over it unnecessarily. Furthermore, you have wounded your ear”.

5. Phussadeva listened patiently. He worshipped the king and begged his permission to leave. The king requested him to stay a while. The king sent his men and got the dart that Phussadeva shot at Bhalluka. He planted it on the ground and covered it with ‘kahapanas’ (gold coins). All that money was gifted to Phussadeva. Phussadeva was delighted to be rewarded in this manner. He left for home.

6. Now the country was completely free of enemy power. King Dutugemunu became the sovereign ruler of the entire island. Celebrations were held in the city to honour those who fought for the country. He held big celebrations in the palace too. This was to present gifts, confer various positions and give land to the warriors, commanders and the soldiers. When Theraputtabhaya’s turn came, he refused everything. The king who was quite surprised asked him, “why are you not accepting what I give you in appreciation of your services?”

7. Theraputtabhaya, questioned the king. “O King, are there any enemies to my land, to my race or to my religion?” “No, Theeraputtabhaya, no. I am the sole ruler of the entire country. Buddhism will prosper in this land. There is no enemy, to my knowledge”, replied the king. “But I have enemies, who have to be defeated. I have to get back for that purpose”, Theraputtabhaya said. In surprise, the king asked him who those enemies were. “They are the ‘klesas – passions. Please grant me permission to get back and strive to defeat them”, pleaded Theraputtabhaya.

8. All who were gathered for the celebrations were simply shocked. “Do not go. Do not go, Theraputtabhaya”, said the king thrice. He could not keep him back. Finally, the king permitted him to go. Then Theraputtabhaya went to all the warriors, one by one, to bid good-bye. They were all in tears. He hugged everyone of them and then worshipped at the feet of the king. While everyone kept watching, Theraputtabhaya left the palace. He went back to priesthood.

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